From my research I have figured out the following...

[PrototypeModel]

So I have come to realize from reading up on stuff that if I ever go to Japan, I'll be like a mongoose passing by a snake pen. Many people will look at me with distrust and see me as a potential predator even though I would hold no thoughts of any foul acts, due to a complete distrust of foriegners. Just want to know if this is true or not. If it is the case, its not going to steer me away from any of my goals, but it would explain why I might get dirty looks from people.


Sorry if this sounds extreme! Its really not meant to be! Its just me seeking more information as a citizen from another country!

 

[Mike Cash]

Tripe and hogwash. What on earth have you been reading?

 

[PrototypeModel]

This one of the sites I used that was actually listed in one of the forum stickies. I've also read number of articles.

 

[Mike Cash]

A lot of what you get is people who have little or no firsthand experience or knowledge but who are just burning up to be perceived as in-the-know. They read each other's stuff and regurgitate it as their own, which accounts for both the volume and the nature of the content of the sort of crap that gets passed around as gospel. A lot of it is based on exaggerations, misunderstandings, and salaciousness. The rest is largely attributable to continuing to pass around chestnuts which are so far past their freshness date it isn't even funny. But folks who are parroting umpteenth-hand information without knowing what they're talking about firsthand have no way of knowing that what may have been the case 10, 20, or more years ago isn't necessarily so any longer. Perfect example of that is watching a bunch of gaijins go through the time-honored ritual of relating to each other how horribly taboo it is to eat/drink on the street. That little tidbit has been steadily crumbling to dust for several years now, but even after it has disappeared entirely I would be willing to be that gaijins will continue the tradition of telling each other it is alive and well for at least a good two or three decades.

When It comes to Japan, lots of what you read is going to be either misinformed, sensationalized, or both.

 

[PrototypeModel]

Well that's why I am asking this sort of question. Rather make sure that I have counterexamples to what I have read. Although I do want to ask is there any real noticable amount of xenophobia present?

 

[nice gaijin]

You are asking for evidence that Japanese people are not racist? I've heard that Americans view black people with fear and suspicion, can you prove that wrong? The people that said it made their claim with such an air of authority, it must be true.

I'd think that the burden of proof would be on the people making such ridiculous, salacious (good word choice there, Mike) claims, rather than the people that point them out for what they are.

 

[xRealCinderellax]

Lol, well actually, I've never been to Japan myself (but I'm going soon!), but one of my friends went and from the sound of it theres more fascination than distrust - she went to a school while she was there and all the kids were running out to see them (particularly the really tall guy). When they went to Hiroshima, I think it was, there was a school trip there and children kept running up to them just to say 'Hi' because they wanted to use their English. Honestly the only kind of 'racism' you might expect (more than what you'd expect to get in any other country at least..) would be more strange assumptions like you can't/won't want to use chopsticks or eat Japanese food than assumptions that your a dangerous person.

 

[Glenski]

Noticeable signs of racism in Japan? Yes, there are a few overt ones, like the signs on some establishments saying "No Foreigners" or some such thing.

Otherwise, the stares you get might not be as evil-intentioned as you imagine. They may just be the inscrutable stare because some Japanese (especially in rural areas) have never had contact with any foreigners. Depends on how you look and act, sometimes, too. See below.

Friend of mine spent his honeymoon in Okinawa . He is black with very short-cropped hair and is well-built, so I guess you might mistake him for one of the U.S. military types. He and his Japanese wife were sitting in a restaurant when the manager told them to leave and that he wouldn't serve them. It took a bit of careful control over his emotions (and some deft Japanese skills from him and his wife) to learn that the restaurant owner had had problems with military types not paying for their meals. When my friend proved he was NOT with the military, things were ok.

 

[Haruspex]

Haven't been to Japan either, but one thing is for sure, we belong to the same species, so you know what you can expect... the same human stupidity, not in square, but triangle form, a little different, but deep down the same.

 

[PrototypeModel]

Noticeable signs of racism in Japan? Yes, there are a few overt ones, like the signs on some establishments saying "No Foreigners" or some such thing.

This right here is something interesting to me. How often would I see establishments such as resturants and other common places taking up this kind of policy?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

This right here is something interesting to me. How often would I see establishments such as resturants and other common places taking up this kind of policy?

It depends where you travel to. You can live here for years and never see one, or you can see one on your first day in the country.

Just for the record, I fall in the former category. I've seen pictures of such establishments, but I've never seen one "in the wild".

 

[PrototypeModel]

So this means that the chances of me encountering such a situation or at least be hindered by it are low at best?

 

[Mike Cash]

How close it is to zero depends on to how many decimal places you like to do your math.

 

[Glenski]

Look at this web site for a list of places the author found. The reason there are more in Hokkaido is that is where he lives.
www.debito.org: THE ROGUE'S GALLERY: Photos of places which refuse non-Japanese in Japan

 

[PrototypeModel]

Thanks for the info. I hope I haven't come across as a person who had already painted a complete picture of Japan. The debito.org site was the one that first sparked the research into the concept of discrimination. I saw a lot of stuff but most of it began losing any hint of possible credibility when many of the articles were from people who spent only a few weeks in the country. I just wanted to hear some counter-examples, and I am happy with the responses I recieved here.

 

[Mike Cash]

For the love of God, please don't form your opinion of Japan based on reading Debito's stuff.

 

[PrototypeModel]

Oh that site did not even start to help me think of forming an opinion. It only caused me to read up on it by searching for articles and other such media from different sources. My opinion thus far based on the responses I have gotten is that I would be little more than "The new guy noone saw before," and that I may have a chance of perhaps stumbling across a place like the ones listed on debito's site. I'm not actually worried about it hindering my ability to fit into the society enough to have a functioning relationship with people.

 

[Glenski]

I will be the first to point to Debito's web site for in-depth information on human rights problems in Japan (and on a few other issues), but in response to Mike's plea, I will also add that I agree. Using Debito's site as a general picture of life in Japan is not the way to go. FWIW, his latest book is a good resource for establishing oneself here, but it also seems to have a lot of similar overtones (protect your butt, watch out for no. 1).

Life here is what you make of it, but it also depends on what you bring to the country. Example: want to work? Have the necessary qualifications or be prepared to wallow in self-pity (especially on forums like this one). I strongly suggest coming with a prepared mind, and keeping one's eyes open to the reality of a different culture (daily life and business life included), and being prepared to adapt to many (not necessarily all) of the differences. Leave your own morals in your own country, or at least keep your mouth shut before complaining about any foreign country's differences as being "wrong".

Prototype,
If you can do the above, you'll be just fine. Expect a few "No Foreigner" signs here and there, expect some stares from the local populace, expect rigid immigration officers and their "guidelines", and expect to need some Japanese language skills to survive (and enjoy) daily life. Beyond that, Japan is yours for the making.

 

[PrototypeModel]

The language is still somewhat difficult for me, but hasn't made me feel like giving up on it yet (in fact now I sometimes say words like "range" more like "lange"). I am pretty confident in my adaptation ability, but I do expect there to be at least some awkward moments. I'm thinking that when I finally get the chance to visit I should just accept whatever happens as normal until I have enough knowledge to know what is actually right and wrong.

 

[Taiko666]

How close it is to zero depends on to how many decimal places you like to do your math.

I wish I was as lucky as you guys in never coming across such a sign.

 

[Mike Cash]

I never said I've never come across them; I have. If you look closely at the photos on Debito's site, you'll see that one of them is mine.

That being said, though, if we included all the countless thousands of places I've seen that did not have such signs and do the math with the mere handful of places I've seen that do have them....the ratio works out as I said: how close it is to zero depends on to how many decimal places you figure it.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

I wish I was as lucky as you guys in never coming across such a sign.

Must be luck, as I am fairly well travelled, at least in Western Japan.

 

[caster51]

I wish I was as lucky as you guys in never coming across such a sign

I have never seen that
only such 20 sighs of hostess bar in Japan?
and one bath house?

I'm thinking that when I finally get the chance to visit I should just accept whatever happens as normal until I have enough knowledge to know what is actually right and wrong

taiko is very honest..
dont come like taiko said.

 

[PrototypeModel]

I honestly don't feel threatened by the concept anymore. Here in Ft.Lauderdale we have a lot of up-tight members only type places which is basically behaving in the same matter. I never see myself having the need to go to any of them, and there are many different options since this is afterall a major city.

 

[Glenski]

caster,
It's hard to understand what you recently wrote, so I apologize if there is a misunderstanding here.
Perhaps the reason there were only 20 hostess bar sightings is that Debito (and whomever notified him of the signs) don't often frequent such places. Ever think of that?

As with bathhouses, I hope you are already aware of the one in question. Again, perhaps Debito didn't hit all of the ones with "No Foreigner" signs on them. Are you implying there may be more?

Lastly, I don't see where Taiko said not to come. Where did you read that, and why are you so harsh in saying "don't come"? Prototype seems to have a good image of what to expect and do.